Dry eyes

[peggy64]

Well, I have started having another problem.  I am getting dry eyes. I have never had this before, so maybe you can shed some light. Is this associated with the thyroid as well. I am starting to think that even hang nails are a result of hypothyroidism....(funny, don't you think).

Seriously, I was reading an article that says that the T3 and T4 hormones are in every cell of our blood. That must be why it affects so many different things.

[peggy64]

Es, you are so right about that. But what I can't understand is I have many relatives with thyroid issues and they have not had the problems I have had. Oh well, apples and oranges....take care....

Hope you sleep good tonight.

[estrelinha]

I didn't know your situation, but low Vit A could be the reason for your dry eyes (air condition , weather, of course are reasons too). I agree with you : "I'm tired of doctors too......;" but thyroid  gives so many symptoms....

[peggy64]

Tm, thank you.

That is a good thing to know, and I think I will call Monday and make an appt and not put it off. That is what has gotten me in this mess in the first place. I thought it was just stress, and kept on pluggin, till there was nothing left. I need to let that be a lesson to me. I am stubborn though, just ask my husband and sons.

[tm514]

My experience with Graves (aka thyroid) eye disease was excessive tearing and a gritty feeling (like sandpaper) in the eyes at the beginning.  I really thought it was allergies, my eyes watered so much.  It got much better when I started using "natural tears" - not the stuff that is used to get the red out.  I hope for your sake your eye problem is something else - thyroid eye disease is something I wouldn't wish on my worse enemy.

And, a piece of advice - find an ophthalmologist (MD), not an optometrist (OD), if your eyes continue to bother you.   I didn't know the difference when I first started having problems and went to the "eye doctor" - an optometrist who had been most capable of prescribing lenses so I could see properly for years.  Optometrists are not medical doctors.  Had I seen an ophthalmologist at the beginning, I feel like I would have had better treatment from the start.  

I know, you don't want another "ologist" in your life - seems like I have acquired quite a few of them since the beginning of my thyroid problems.  However, if you continue to have problems with your eyes, it might be worth finding one.

[peggy64]

AR, I agree with you..lets not go to the dr anymore. I don't want any other diseases..ha ha.

Actually, there are no changes other than the hypo thing in my life. Staring at the ceiling? Hadn't thought about that. No, I don't do that , good vein of thought though.

and finally, NO!!! I am not sleeping any better. That part is the pits as I am totally exhausted and good for nothing. I did wash the dishes today. WOO HOO~~~

Estrilinha, thanks for your input. I do need to go see an eye dr, but see the above statement concerning no more doctors---tee hee hee

[AR-10]

Dry eyes are normally associated with hyperthyroidism, but as you know, there are no rules with this stuff.

Well, there are lots of rules. They just don't mean anything. LOL!!

Is it possible it's dry air or maybe you have allergies?

Have you been to the doctor lately? You know what they say. Go to the doctor, and you'll come home with a new disease. LOL!!

Well, that's what we men say, but then we drop dead all the time from stuff the doctor could have prevented.

I swear though, I was healthy as a horse till I went to the doctor. It's been downhill ever since. But I just keep going back. You'd think I'd know better by now. LOL!

Seriously, they make special eye drops designed to lubricate. You might want to try them for a while if it is bothering you. Why it would crop up now is a good question.

I'll bet somebody else can tell you why that might be.

Air conditioning dries the air. Maybe that's it?
You have had a lot of trouble sleeping. Are you staring at the ceiling all night? Is your sleeping getting any better?

[estrelinha]

There are many situations that can cause dry eyes: hormones (ex. menopause), medication (antihistamines, codeine, decongestants, diuretics,oral contraceptives and even eye drops ), Sjogren's syndrome, some other inflammatory diseases (RA, Lupus, etc), but people with underactive thyroids (hypothyroid patients) are always vitamin A deficient.  People with thyroid problems must go to the ophtalmologist once a year (I have been there already). hope this help.